THUNDER BAY – Kerri Negley was doing what farmers do on Friday morning, with just five per cent left on her phone’s battery.
A call came in, but she missed it.
Moments later, she dialled the number and learned she’d won $522,710.
“I’m still processing it,” Negley said. “I have a big close-knit family and COVID has been hard on all of us. This jackpot will help a lot of people.”
Negley held the winning ticket in the fourth instalment of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s monthly 50/50 draw, which since January has raised more than $2.7 million to help fund hospital equipment – and given out an equal amount in prize money.
It’s a great feeling making the phone calls, said foundation president and CEO Glenn Craig.
“Making these life-changing calls is the highlight of my week,” he said, in a release issued on Friday by the hospital foundation.
“Our hospital is always in need of vital medical equipment to bring even better health care to our region. Every ticket in the Thunder Bay 50/50 draw makes new equipment a reality. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Tickets for the June draw are already on sale. They are five for $10, 30 for $20 and 150 for $50. The draw will be held on June 25 and features a trio of $2,000 grand prizes on June 2, June 11 and June 18. Ticket buyers must be in Ontario at the time of purchase.
Tickets are available at www.thunderbay5050.ca.
